The High Point University women's soccer team suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss on the road Saturday afternoon at VMI.

The loss drops the Panthers record to 8-5 overall and 3-2 in Big South Conference action while VMI improves to 7-8 and 1-3 in the league. The victory marked a program first for the Keydets in Big South play.

High Point jumped on top early with a goal by Leslie Long, giving them a 1-0 lead in the game's fifth minute.  Long gathered a cross in front of the net and beat VMI keeper Jessica Rheinlander for the score. That is how the score would stay until the 37th minute, when Colleen Redmond tied the contest at one with her chip shot over HPU goalie Erica Brockmyer.  Three minutes later, Big South Conference scoring leader Alexa Bernas gave the Keydets their first ever lead in a Big South game, scoring from just outside of the box from the left wing with a little over five minutes remaining in the half.

VMI kept the pressure on to start the second period as  Bernas tallied her second goal of the night just seven minutes past the break on a one-on-one opportunity versus Brockmyer, tucking her shot just inside the left post after an assist by Redmond.  Karen Bill completed the scoring for the Keydets when she was credited with a goal on a sliding play at the right post, as the ball slipped past an HPU defender and Brockmyer to give VMI a 4-1 advantage. The Panthers cut the lead to 4-2 in the 72nd minute when Amy Anzovino collected a rebound in front and buried it in the side of the net.

The statistics show an evenly-played contest, as HPU held slight advantages in shots (13-12), corner kicks (7-4) and fouls (9-7).  Each team also received one yellow card while High Point was called for offsides four times to the Keydets' one.

The Panthers must regroup quickly as HPU continues its busy stretch with a match at home on Monday at 7 p.m. against Longwood University.